What is it?

[wa4zfr]

Found this the other day at a local site. Not sure what it is or even if it is era. It appears to be made of copper and came apart when I was wiping off the dirt. The small stick was in it along with some dirt/sand. I originally thought it was a match but upon a closer look, the stick was not squared on all sides and could be just a stick that ended up there with the dirt. There is a top band around the object that appears to have very small rivets holding it on however, I can't see where the rivet come through the other side so, i'm not sure what held the band on. Inside the container, to the side, is a funnel shaped piece of metal running the length and I have no idea what function it would serve. The "funnel" appears to have some type of metal jammed into it. I tried to pick it out but couldn't without causing further damage.

The area it was found is not clear of junk however, it was in the middle of a skirmish site.

Any help would be appreciated.

[reirelics]

Nice looking box but i not sure what it is
But Wa4zfr welcome to civil war quest and
maybe some one here can help you
good luck on your digs and post away.
Raymond

[raw-war-digger]

Not for sure at the moment......Welcome to the Forum!
Maybe I can assist with some search this weekend.......I'm taking off a few days!

Thanks For Joining, Post Away, HH, GLD, Roger

[wa4zfr]

I appreciate your responses. Yes, I am new to all of this. I was given a detector for my b-day in August and my first time out found a 16 pounder fragment. Yes...i'm hooked. I think i've already dug enough holes to go to China....but it's worth it. I'll let you know how it goes. I appreciate all your help.

Thanks

[Gbrown]

Welcome to the site!!, I am not sure what your find is, maybe someone can figure it out. Don't worry about digging to China, you will do that many more times in the future. That one great relic you find is always worth the 30plus holes you dig to find it!!!Happy Hunting in the future!! gary

[wa4zfr]

An HVAC contractor came by today while I was cleaning up the box and as it turns out he and his wife have an internet antique business. He told me that the box was a "match safe". So I did a little more researching searching for "match safe" and sure enough that's what it is. The serrations on the bottom were to strike the match and the cone shaped funnel was to snuff out the match. Of course the top is missing but, that's apparently what it is. It was apparently common for troops to have them during the CW. This one is very plain however, many of them on ebay get very ellaborate. Some of the common ones like this one were freebees given out by various businesses with advertising painted or etched on the outside. I know it aint much but it sure has been interesting founding out.

Thanks

[mlee1969]

Interesting find! Glad you were able to get it ID'd.

HH...
Mark